Medical Examination - which is right?

[UJOHN]

I find this “dipstick “thing confusing.
If it is what I think it is: to determine the state of the prostate, I thought that way was old fashioned , mine was done by blood test, think it is called PSA or something similar.

Are we on the same wave length ?

[Arnulf]

Hi UJOHN,

You are quite right, it is called the PSA test. Unfortunately neither the dipstick test, nor the PSA test is completely reliable. Both tests are complementary. It is therefore best to perform both tests, not necessarily at the same time. My doc recommends to alternate the tests. To my knowledge, if the PSA test is high, it does not necessarily mean you have a prostrate problem. If you have a bladder infection, your readings can also be high.

Regards,
Arnulf

[Duck Rogers]

if you overweight, smoker or over 40 he will probably do it...

I almost qualify...just add "almost" to the "overweight" and include "ugly" in the equation

Had my medical last week, resting ECG and NO dipstick test :D

Duck Rogers

[UJOHN]

Arnulf,

Thank you for the explanation, you sound very informed !
More questions:
Why is this test part of the examination ?
What results can they get from this test , if it is cancer does it mean you cant fly if you have it?

Thanks

Ujohn

[Arnulf]

Hi UJOHN,

Please note: I am not a medical expert.
Possibly somebody with more specialized knowledge on this subject should give more info.

I never actually thought about it why they focus on the prostate for the flying medical. I suppose the guy doing medicals can give you more info on that. Since I turned 40, I must do a medical every 6 months, and the dipstick test seems more important for the Doc as I get older. Before it really never was an issue. I suppose as one gets older, the risk is increased for prostate cancer. The good news is, that prostate cancer takes long time to develop, and if diagnosed in its early stages it can be cured quite successfull. Also if attended to in its early stages, it should not affect your flying medical. Your love life will probably be more affected than the flying life.

Regards,
Arnulf

[UJOHN]

Arnulf

Are you involved in commercial flying?
Hope we get some response from somebody in this field , otherwise
I will ask the doc in 11 months time when I have to go to town again
for my medical.
The old folks 50 ,60 ,70 are their MP medical also valid for 3 years ?

Ujohn

[Duck Rogers]

The old folks 50 ,60 ,70 are their MP medical also valid for 3 years ?

HKGK!!!

Duck Rogers

[C205]

Being a softness, I don't have that problem during my medical

[Griffin]

Being a softness, I don't have that problem during my medical

It that because women never get older than 29

[Thunderboy]

I don't think the dipstick is a CAA requirement however just a wise thing to do once you hit 40 as Arnulf says if there is a problem found early and then sorted it can give you many more years of happy flying :D

[Tumbleweed]

I did'nt mind the 'socks & jocks', I cruised the treadmill and managed the 'smoking' lecture, but that oke with his massive piesang fingers was going to meet some steep resistance at the mention of his dipstick test

Luckily, was not required.

[IFLYHI]

meet some steep resistance

Relax honey this wont hurt at all



This thread is going downhill fast

[Morph]

Relax, you're only going to feel a small prick

[DieselFan]

I know someone who wants to take up ML's but has one "lazy" eye. Would he have a problem - he has a cool motorbike and hasn't had hassles?

[Thunderboy]

Im sure it would be okay if he could pass a normal visual test as he would have to for a drivers license.

There are guys flying PPL that are disabled and some of you might even remember a trike instructor that only had 1 leg